Indiana: Caretaker Angela York, 24, charged with trying to kill handicapped patient and her dog

INDIANA -- A 24-year-old caretaker was arrested and charged with trying to kill her charge, a physically and mentally handicapped woman, as well as a dog.

Shelbyville Police say they were called to a single-vehicle crash on County Road 400 North on June 22.

The crash investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling east on I-74 when it veered left, crossed the median and westbound lanes then went airborne, coming to a stop on County Road 400 North.

In the vehicle was Angela York, the driver, and her passenger, Paula Holtsclaw, who is mentally and physically challenged and requires a caretaker. York had been Holtsclaw's paid caretaker since May 9.

The probable cause affidavit states that when the officer arrived on scene, he spoke to a bystander who said York claimed she was trying to kill herself.

The officer talked to Holtsclaw's nephew, who brought a note from York, according to court documents. In the note, York said to not worry about funeral arrangements -- that they were already paid. The note also stated that the nephew and his cousin could split the life insurance money.

After the crash, York was taken to Community North Hospital due to her suicidal tendencies. The nephew said York called him and said she didn't know how they weren't both dead, and that both of their necks should've been snapped.

During the investigation, police reviewed the footage from a police vehicle. When York was put into an ambulance, she could be heard repeatedly saying "Why didn't it work?"

Court documents say that after an interview, York admitted to trying to kill herself and Holtsclaw by crashing the car. She also said she took the dog with them so the dog would also be killed.

Both people in the vehicle, as well as the dog, survived the crash. Holtsclaw suffered serious injuries in the crash.

According to court documents, York said she spent time carefully planning out the crash.

"Angela York indicated to detective that she had researched various ways of dying and killing on the internet," Landwerlen said. "Some of them such as stabbing she said were too gruesome. 

"She did quite a bit research on what it would take - what kind of speed it would take - to ramp over 400 North  coming off the interstate and roll onto other side with the plan being to break their necks."

York has been charged with: Attempted murder, Neglect of a dependent, Aggravated battery, Criminal recklessness, and Attempted killing of a domestic animal. Her bond was set at $200,000.

(RTV6 - July 1, 2016)